Advancing Black Homeownership
Up to $45,000 toward your first home
The Advancing Black Homeownership Community Fund is one of the most powerful homebuying tools in the country — built specifically to close the Twin Cities gap. Here's everything it does, who qualifies, and how Tiaira helps you use it.
The headline numbers
0% interest. No monthly payments. Real money.
An independent community program supported by Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and the Minnesota Homeownership Center — administered with community partners, not by Fairway. Current terms always live at abhfund.org.
Who qualifies
The eligibility checklist
✓ You may be eligible if…
- The primary buyer was born in the U.S. and self-identifies as Black or African American and a descendant of enslaved people in the United States
- The primary buyer currently lives in the seven-county Twin Cities metro: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington County
- All buyers are first-time homebuyers (no one on the loan has owned a home in the last 3 years)
- Liquid assets won’t exceed $50,000 after closing
⚠ Watch-outs that trip people up
- Don’t sign a purchase agreement before Fund approval — a signed agreement makes you ineligible to request funds
- Gift contributions are limited to 10% of the purchase price
- Funds are reserved 90 days once approved (one 60-day extension available — 150 days total)
- Funding availability changes — programs pause when funds are exhausted, so timing matters
Eligibility is determined solely by the Fund’s administrators — this page is education, not a determination. Tiaira welcomes and works with all homebuyers regardless of program eligibility.
How it works with Tiaira
The right order of operations
- Talk to Tiaira first. One conversation maps your eligibility across the ABH Fund and every other program — First-Gen DPA, Minnesota Housing, Fairway options — so nothing gets left on the table.
- Complete homebuyer education & apply to the Fund. Tiaira points you to the approved education workshop and the Fund application — before any house hunting gets serious.
- Get pre-approved for your mortgage. Your Fairway pre-approval plus reserved ABH funds equals real, confident buying power — and a 90-to-150-day shopping window.
- Shop, offer, close. Tiaira coordinates the Fund, your loan, and any stacked assistance through closing day — and stays your lender for life after it.
ABH Fund FAQ
Real questions, straight answers
How much can I receive from the ABH Community Fund?
Up to 20% of the home’s purchase price, capped at $45,000 — and you don’t have to use the full amount. The funds come as a 0% interest loan with no monthly payments.
Who is eligible?
At least one buyer (the primary buyer) must have been born in the United States and self-identify as Black or African American and a descendant of enslaved people in the United States. The primary buyer must currently live in the seven-county Twin Cities metro (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington counties), and all buyers must be first-time homebuyers — meaning no one on the loan has owned a home in the last three years.
Are there financial limits?
Yes — your liquid assets can’t exceed $50,000 after closing, and gift contributions are limited to 10% of the purchase price. The Fund is designed for buyers who genuinely need the assistance to make ownership work.
Can I combine it with other down payment assistance?
Yes. ABH funds can stack with other down payment assistance programs — which is exactly where Tiaira’s specialty comes in. Stacking ABH with programs like Minnesota Housing assistance can dramatically change your buying power.
When should I apply — before or after finding a house?
Before. Do not sign a purchase agreement until you’re approved for the Fund — a signed purchase agreement makes you ineligible to request funds. Once approved, your funds are reserved for 90 days, with a one-time 60-day extension available (up to 150 days total to shop).
Is this a Fairway program?
No — and that matters. The ABH Community Fund is an independent program supported by Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and the Minnesota Homeownership Center. Fairway doesn’t administer it or set its eligibility. Tiaira’s role is pairing your mortgage with the Fund and any other assistance you qualify for, and quarterbacking the whole process.
The Advancing Black Homeownership Community Fund is an independent program supported by Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and the Minnesota Homeownership Center. It is not a Fairway Home Mortgage program, and Fairway does not administer it or determine eligibility. Program details are subject to change — always verify current terms at abhfund.org.
Don’t leave $45,000 on the table.
The single biggest mistake buyers make with the ABH Fund is finding out about it too late — or signing a purchase agreement too early. One text to Tiaira puts the whole process in the right order.